Breakdown of Bos memberi saya tugasan baru.
baru
new
bos
the boss
saya
me
memberi
to give
tugasan
the assignment
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Questions & Answers about Bos memberi saya tugasan baru.
Why isn't there an article like the or a before tugasan baru?
Malay does not use definite or indefinite articles. Nouns stand alone, so tugasan baru can mean a new assignment, the new assignment, or simply new assignment, depending on context.
Why does saya remain the same when it's used as the object, instead of changing to something like me?
Pronouns in Malay do not change form for case. saya functions as both I (subject) and me (object).
Why is saya placed before tugasan baru instead of after?
With ditransitive verbs, Malay typically follows Subject–Verb–Indirect Object–Direct Object. So Bos (S) memberi (V) saya (IO) tugasan baru (DO). You can also say Bos memberi tugasan baru kepada saya, inserting kepada before the indirect object.
What is the difference between memberi and beri?
beri is the root verb used in commands or informal speech (e.g., Beri saya buku itu! Give me that book!). memberi is the formal active verb formed with the meN- prefix, used in standard Malay (e.g., Bos memberi saya tugasan baru). In colloquial conversation, you may also hear bos bagi when people use the verb bagi.
How do Malay verbs show tense since memberi doesn't change?
Malay verbs do not inflect for tense. Time is indicated by adverbs or aspect markers:
• Bos sudah memberi saya tugasan baru. The boss has given me a new assignment.
• Bos akan memberi saya tugasan baru. The boss will give me a new assignment.
Why does the adjective baru come after tugasan instead of before?
Malay adjectives normally follow the noun they describe. So tugasan baru literally means assignment new, equivalent to new assignment in English.
Why isn't there a kepada before saya in this sentence?
When the indirect object is a pronoun, Malay often drops kepada and places the pronoun directly after the verb. If you use a noun, you include kepada (e.g., Bos memberi tugasan baru kepada pekerja itu).
How do you make this sentence passive?
You can focus on the direct object or the recipient:
• Tugasan baru telah diberikan oleh bos kepada saya.
• Saya telah diberi tugasan baru oleh bos.
What does the suffix -an in tugasan do?
The suffix -an turns the root tugas (“task”) into a noun meaning assignment or the result of a task, similar to English -ment.
Why is bos spelled with one s, and is there a native Malay word?
bos is a loanword from English boss, adapted to Malay spelling (no double final consonants). Native Malay alternatives include ketua (“leader”) or majikan (“employer”).
Can I replace saya with aku to say Bos memberi aku tugasan baru?
aku is informal and often used among close friends or family. In formal or workplace settings, saya is preferred. Bos memberi aku tugasan baru sounds too casual or even disrespectful in that context.